An improved surgical instrument having several improvements and advantages over the prior art. Surgical instrument has an end-effector capable of several different operations, including grasping, cutting, and sealing and/or coagulating tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by handle that is moveable relative to instrument to move end effector between two conditions. Providing a simplified latching mechanism for this moveable handle, which latching mechanism is formed of single integrally formed component arranged to engage with handle to allow end effector to be retained in one condition, thus leaving user's hand free to perform other functions of instrument. Therefore, a user may use surgical instrument to grasp tissue between end effector by activating end effector using handle, then use latch mechanism to latch handle in the end effector activation position, allowing surgeon to remove his hand from handle and perform some other task.
